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(No Modeb) E. R. HOGEBO0M.& G. O. WOOLOOOKS. HEEL PLATE POR BOOTS OR SHOES.

No. 333,522. Patented Jan. 5, 1886.Y

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"FFICQ ATENT FRANKLIN R. HOGEBOOM AND GEORGE O. VOOLCOCKS, OF BROOKLYN, N. Y.

HEEL-PLATE FOR BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 333,522, dated January 5l 1886.

l Application iilcd September 2, 1885. Serial No. 175,968. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANKLIN R. HOGE- BOOM and GEORGE O. WooLoooKs, citizens of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Heels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Our invention relates to heels for boots and shoes, the object being to provide a detachable lift-'guard or protector for the same, whereby they may be preserved against uneven wear and easily repaired; and our invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a bottom plan view of a heel provided with our protector or guard. the lift proper being removed therefrom. Fig. 2 is a plan (and aseotion on the line X) of the removable lift employed. Fig. 3 is a plan of a completed heel. Fig. 4 is a section of the same. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the guard detached, and Fig. G is a modification of the guard detached.

Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.

It is well known that most shoes wear out at the heels first, and by the peculiar formation of the feet of the wearer, as well as the manner of walking, the heel becomes run down at the rear or sides. This generally occurs at the outside of the heel. This unevenness of the heel throws the entire foot out of position, thus rendering it liable to be sprained or strained, besides being exceedingly uncomfortable.

Now,theprinie object ofourinvention,therefore, is to obviate these disadvantages, land for that purpose we have constructed what we will herein designate a heel-guard.77

Vhen a heel becomes worn,by the use ofour invention, (instead of tearing off the partlyworn lifts, and then rebuilding the heels by numerous other lifts,) it is only necessary to remove a sufficient number of lifts to render the heel level, and then secure our invention thereto.

Referring more especially to Figs. 4 and 5, A represents the heel of a boot or shoe, se-

cured to theV under surface of which is a frame or guard, B, which may be formed of any suitable metal, such as steel, brass, iron, che., but preferably of the former. This guard consists, principally, of a plate or foundation, C,which is perforated at suitable points, O, for lhe reception of screws or other securing devices, and which, for the purpose of rendering the device as light as possible and for the saving of metal, is cut out, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. A cross-piece, G2, and a rib or counter, D, which is grooved, as at D, and in cross-section, is substantially triangular inshape.

The heel ofthe shoe having been niadelevel, the guard B is secured in place by screws passing through the apertures C', and a top lift, E, which may be made of leather, paper, gatta-percha, metal, or any othersuitable material, is inserted within the guard. vThis top lift is formed with beveled edges E', which is adapted tosnugly Iitthe grooveDin the rib D.

It has been stated that ninety per cent. of the shoes are worn off at the outside of the heel, and in orderto obviate this and strengthen the guards at the pointof wear wehavei'ormcd at that point a wider or thicker portion, F, thus rendering the guards adaptable for right and left shoes. It will be of course understood that the lift E is also more deeply beveled, as at F2, to allow for this increased thickness. For thepurpose of preventing slipping the guard may also be serrated or milled, as at F.

To prevent the easy removal of the top lift, a peg or screw, G, may be employed.`

rIhis guard is intended especially for the use of persons where cobblers are inconvenient, and in fact to do away with `the necessity of having to take'shoes to shoe-makers every few weeks to have the heels built up or straightened, it only being necessary to insert a new lift, and, if necessary, a new guard.

In Fig. 6 we have shown a modification ofour invention, the difference consisting in the means for retaining the top lift. In this modification, instead of forming a groove in the rib D, as at D', we form an internal rib, X.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l.V As an article of manufacture, a heelguard, comprising a base or securing plate per- IOO forated tor the reception of screws, and a cross eled as at E and F2, whereby it is adapted to or tie bar connecting the ends thereof, a U- snugly t Within the groove D and under the Shaped beveled rib forming a groove formed widened portion F, and retaining-screw G, thereon, said rib being widened at predetersubstantially as shown and described. 15 mined points to obviate wem', substantially as In testimony whereof we ax our signatures specified. l in presence of two witnesses.

2. The combination of thebase or securing FRANKLIN R. HOGEBOOM. A plate C, perforated as at C', and having the U- GEORGE O. WOOLCOCKS. shaped rib D formed thereon, and having a l NVitnesses:

groove, D', said rib being widened. at prede- XV. C. LITTLEWOOD, terniined points, as at F, of the top lift, E, bev- THOMAS TIERNEY. 

